Separable coupling for ropes



Feb. 26, 1929.

1,703,579 C. H. GAFFNER SEPARABLE COUPLING FOR ROPES Filed y 16, 1928 INVENTOR aisles of theaters and the like to Patented Feb. 26, 1929 UNITED? CHARLES H, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

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Application .flled m 16,

v This invention relates to releasablelbarriers of rope, or :an equivalent, for use in eliminate personal injury orlife hazard in case of panics.

The objectof of devices ofthis character which .willbeof simplefconstruction, convenient to apply ,and eiiicient in-use. 4 v c More specific objects and advantages'ofth'e invention will appear in the followingedescription. V

The invention consists 'in the .novel construction, adaptation and 'conibination of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying d rawing, Figure 1 is a front elevational view of an aisle barrier embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a similar view to an enlarged scale of central portions of the barrier shown in 1, the coupling members being illustrated in separated relation; Fig. 3 is a view of the parts shown in Fig. 1 the rope ends in elevation and the coupling members in lonitudinal section; and Flg. 4 1s a rear elevaion of a portlon of an aisle barrier, with a modified form of coupling, having one mem- )GI' thereof shown partly in section.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the numerals 5 and 5 represent ropes or other flexible members, one end of each being permanently fastened to an eye-bolt 6 which is secured to posts 7 provided at opposite sides of apassageway 8as, for example, the aisle of a theater. Thefree end of the rope 5, as shown in Fig. 3, extends into a socket 9 provided axially within one end of a cylindrical block 10 and is secured thereto as by means of a bolt I 11 extending diametrically through the rope and also the peripheral wall surrounding the socket of said block, the ends of the bolt being riveted as shown in conical apertures, as

12, provided in the block.

Protruding axially of the block 10 from its end opposite the connection thereof with the rope 5 is a stub 13 having intermediate its length a groove 14 extending circumferentially about the stud to provide a neck of less diameter than the portions 15 and 16 of the stud at opposite sides of the neck.

The stud portion 15 is of a cylindrical shape, and the portion, orhead, 16 is of a conoidal shape as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The free end of the other rope 5 like that of the rope 5-extends into a socket 17 at one end of a cylindrical block 18 and to which theinvention is the provision 1928. Serial No. 278,144. 7'

the rope 5? is secured by means of a bolt .19 having heads riveted in apertures 20 ofthe block.

In its other end from the socket 17,'the block 18 is provided with a bore 21 to receive the stud'13 with a slidable fit.

There is also provided at right angles to the bore 21 a second bore 22 whiclrcommuni- 'catestherewith [through an opening 23 ofless diameter than that ofthe bore 22.

Provided within the bore 22 is a ball 24 of greater diameter than the opening 23 to permit' the ball to extend into the bore 22 and serve as a catch with respect tothe groove 14 of the stud when the two'blocks 10 and 18,

hereinafter termed coupling members, are in .theirmutually engaged relation as shown in Figs, 1 and 3. The outer end of the bore 22 is screw threaded to receive a screw threaded plug 25 between which and the catch 24 is provided a spring 26 to yieldably retain the catch in engaged or engageable position with respect to the stud groove 14.

Instead of locating the coupling intermediate the parts as 5 and 5 of a divided rope,

it is oftentimesdesirable to use a single p1ece of rope and arrange the coupling at one end thereof. 7

Such an arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 4, wherein the rope, designated by 5 is connected as by means ofa bolt 11 to a cylindrical coupling member 10 provided with a stud 13 similar to the stud pertaining to the member 10 above described. In the Fig. 4 disclosure,moreover, in lieu of the cylindrical member 18, I provide a member 18 with apertured flange elements 27 whereby the member 18 is rigidly secured as by means of screws 28 to a post, wall or seat-back-as denoted by 29 at one side of an aisle 30, the rope end opposite the end to which the coupling member 10, is secured may be secured to a support as 'by means, not illustrated-such, for instance,

as an eye bolt 6 shown in Fig. 1. The member 18 is provided with a bore 21' for the stud of the companion member, and also with a second bore 22 for the catch, plug, and spring, 24 ,25 and 26, respectively, as explained with reference to corresponding elements of the member 18.

The operation of the invention is very simple, consisting of mating the twocompanion coupling members by inserting the stud of one member into the bore 21 of the other member, the spring-pressed ball-catch of the latter engaging in the groove of the stud.

Thus connected the barrier is held across the 1y pulled asunder by a person, or may be forcibly thrust apart by a person or persons surging against the ropes to flex the same in case of a panic.

The invention with. respect to its construction and mode of operation will, it is thought, be understood from the foregoing description.

What I claim, is,

1. A separable coupling for a rope aislebarrier, comprising two coupling members secured to the rope,one of said members being provided with a stud having a peripheral recess, the other of said members being pro vided with a bore to receive the stud and a second bore at right angles to the axis or the first named bore andcommunicating therewith, a ball provided in said secondnamed bore, and a spring provided in the latter and adapted to actuate the ball to serve as a catch engageable in the recess of said stud for yieldably connecting the two coupling members together.

2. A separable coupling for a flexible aislebarrier, comprising a coupling member provided axially therein With'a bore, and a second coupling member provided with a protruding circular stud element adapted to en gage with a sliding fit Within the bore of the first named member, said stud being pro- ViClBdWltll a recess extending circumferentially about its periphery, and a springpressed catch provided in said first named member and extending into engageable relation with respect to the recess of said stud for releasably securing said members against longitudinal separation and permitting relative movement of the members with respect to each other. V

Signed at Seattle, Washington, this 30th day of April, 1928.

' CHARLES H. GAFFNER. 

